Report: Former South Carolina WR Bruce Ellington lands with Lions

After being released by the Houston Texans six days ago, the former South Carolina receiver was signed by the Detroit Lions on Tuesday, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

A hamstring injury forced Ellington onto Houston’s injured reserve on Sept. 25, but the Texans decided to part ways with him a day after trading for receiver Demaryius Thomas. His signing with Detroit may be the result of another trade — the Lions dealt slot man Golden Tate to the Philadelphia Eagles last week.

Ellington was originally a 2014 fourth-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers, who waived him prior to the 2017 season. Following a two-day stint with the New York Jets that ended with a failed physical, Ellington joined the Texans.

Over his four-year NFL career — Ellington missed all of 2016 with a hamstring injury — the former Gamecock has 56 catches for 637 yards and five touchdowns, along with an additional score on the ground.

The #Lions are signing FA WR Bruce Ellington, formerly of the #Texans, source said. To create space, they are waiving RB Ameer Abdullah. He’s been mostly inactive this season. DET had some trade talks before the deadline but nothing came to fruition. The next step was to move on.